Sydney's cult sweets

Not only are these treats delicious, they’re also social media stars in their own right, writes Emma Hutton.

Jan 20, 2016 10:27pm

Not only are these treats delicious, they're also social media stars in their own right, writes Emma Hutton.

Does social media fan the fires of Sydney's dessert culture, or vice versa? Any visit to a pâtisserie in Sydney is likely to include a glimpse into someone else's photo shoot with a cult cake while it's increasingly challenging to get through a quick look at Instagram or Facebook without coming across a post of perfectly poised and iced pastry perfection. But it'd be a pretty short-lived phenomenon if there wasn't some substance to it, and in Sydney, now seemingly one of the world's top destinations for snap-happy diners, the chefs more than come up with the goods. Here's a rundown in no particular order of the city's most essential sweet photo-finishes.

Bourke Street Bakery’s ginger brûlée tart
Surry Hills provides a wealth of choice for the would-be member of café society, but if solid brews and artisan-made treats are on the agenda (not to mention a truly local feel), Bourke Street Bakery's original branch is a must. The ginger brûlée tart with spiced custard and raw pistachios has become a neighbourhood favourite with good reason.Bourke Street Bakery, multiple locations, including 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills, (02) 9699 1011

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Flour and Stone lamingtons
Australia's favourite chocolatey, coconut-covered cake adorns bakery shelves throughout the country, and deviations from the standard recipe seldom produce superior results. Flour and Stone's take on the lamington, though, is the tastiest of exceptions: vanilla sponge soaked with panna cotta, layered with berry compote and coated with dark chocolate, and a snowy dusting of coconut flakes.Flour and Stone, 53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, (02) 8068 8818

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Brickfields’ Persian love cake
Sure, you're right on sooty old Cleveland Street, but it's nonetheless easy to lose yourself in a world of silk and spice with one bite of Brickfields' love cake. The soft and fragrant orange-blossom cake is made from almond meal, rosewater and yoghurt, and it's a fine match with the bakery's well-pulled Mecca coffee.Brickfields, 206 Cleveland St, Chippendale, (02) 9698 7880

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Black Star’s watermelon cake
Black Star is a social media phenomenon in itself - even pictures of the queues at the original Newtown shopfront have become a familiar sight online - and it's all about the watermelon cake, easily one of Sydney's most beautiful desserts (you'll find the recipe and our video on its cult status here). It comprises tiers of watermelon, almond dacquoise and rose-scented cream, with a sprinkling of Iranian pistachios and local strawberries. Have your camera up and your hashtag at the ready; this little number never lasts long.Black Star, 277 Australia St, Newtown, and C1 85-113 Dunning Ave, Rosebery, (02) 9557 8656